3/29/2013 |
Harper, Werth playing through nicksNationals outfielders Bryce Harper and Jayson Werth were both in the starting lineup for Friday's exhibition game against the Yankees, fending off some dings and dents.

3/29/2013 |
Scherzer dominant in final Spring Training outingThe Tigers appear ready to lunge out of their cage upon the first pitch of the regular season. In Friday's 8-3 win over the Rays, they pounced on right-hander Jeremy Hellickson before a single-game record 10,451 fans at Joker Marchant Stadium.

3/29/2013 |
Numerical tribute: A salute to the No. 13Superstition is as much a part of the game as double plays and high-and-tight fastballs. And the No. 13 is as much a part of superstition outside the game as any black cat. We have 13s all around us this year. But no special allowances will be made for them. Instead, we offer a salute to the number Dave Concepcion, Edgardo Alfonzo and Clint Hurdle favor.

3/29/2013 |
Maddon wants to see more from HellicksonThroughout Spring Training, manager Joe Maddon has preached efficiency to Jeremy Hellickson. Maddon had enjoyed Hellickson's last two outings, as the 25-year-old limited the Tigers to three runs on six innings on March 19 and completed seven frames against the Yankees last Sunday. But he struggled on Friday.

3/29/2013 |
Verlander agrees to record five-year extensionJustin Verlander and the Tigers agreed Friday on a five-year contract extension through the 2019 season with a vesting option for the 2020 season. The deal will pay Verlander $28 million a year from 2015-19, the highest annual salary for a pitcher in Major League history.

3/29/2013 |
D-backs, Goldschmidt agree to five-year extensionPaul Goldschmidt and the Diamondbacks have agreed on a five-year, $32 million extension with a $14.5 million club option for 2019. The first baseman hit .286 with 20 home runs and 82 RBIs in 2012.

3/29/2013 |
Hernandez named starter; Niemann to bullpenThe Rays' last position battle of the spring officially ended Friday morning. Roberto Hernandez will be in the starting rotation, and Jeff Niemann is headed to the bullpen.

3/29/2013 |
Ventura, Matheny paved route for eager WeissOn Monday afternoon, Rockies manager Walt Weiss will walk out to home plate at Miller Park, exchange lineup cards with Brewers manager Ron Roenicke, and take a deep breath. The reality will hit for the new skipper. Weiss is back in the big leagues, ready or not.

3/29/2013 |
Jaso catches another learning curveLearning a new pitching staff is simply becoming another rite of Spring Training for John Jaso. The new A's catcher is in the process of learning his third different pitching staff in as many years.

3/28/2013 |
Giants happy to be back in home parkA day after landing in the Bay Area from a long, seven-week stretch in the desert for Spring Training, Giants manager Bruce Bochy was happy to be back in the dugout at AT&T Park on Thursday.

3/28/2013 |
Mauer getting extra work in with new pitchersThe first three pitchers in the Twins' rotation -- Vance Worley (Phillies), Kevin Correia (Pirates) and Mike Pelfrey (Mets) -- are new to the organization this season. That alone would have meant a steep learning curve for All-Star catcher Joe Mauer. Throw in the fact that played for Team USA in the World Baseball Classic and the degree of difficulty only increases. Terry Ryan isn't worried.

3/28/2013 |
Hendriks, Diamond impress with progressThe Twins got good news on the health of two pitchers after right-hander Liam Hendriks threw in the bullpen and left-hander Scott Diamond pitched in a Minor League game Thursday.

3/28/2013 |
'Confidence-builder' for Correia in spring finaleFacing a bases-loaded, one-out jam in the bottom of the fifth inning Thursday night at Jet Blue Park, Twins right-hander Kevin Correia pitched like it was a playoff game. Or at least the second game of the regular season, when he's scheduled to start against the Tigers.

3/28/2013 |
Dodgers yet to name replacement for HanleyAs the Dodgers prepare for Opening Day, manager Don Mattingly's biggest concern is the left side of the infield. With shortstop Hanley Ramirez sidelined due to a torn ligament in his left thumb, the Dodgers are still finalizing plans on how to replace the three-time All-Star. Luis Cruz is the likely candidate, but Mattingly would not commit to that Thursday.

3/28/2013 |
Lilly, Capuano, Harang could be headed to 'penThe Dodgers have an overflow of starting pitchers, and some could end up in the bullpen by Opening Day on Monday. Ted Lilly, Chris Capuano and Aaron Harang are the candidates to move from a starting role to the 'pen.